Day 156: Sunday

I'm actually writing on the correct day.  Today, Sunday, is day 156.  Usually I write a day or two behind.

I was looking forward to sleeping in, but after only three hour stretches all night, it didn't really happen.  It kind of did, in that at 0800, I called my mom and had her take Eisley so I could nap for another two hours.

My back was still killing me when I woke up, so I decided to get a massage today.  I called Massage Harmony in Westlake, but they didn't answer, nor did they call back within 45 minutes or answer any of the other three times I called.  I decided to try 26 Doors on 38th Street and they had an availability at 1815. I figured that was fine and I'd go run errands before the massage.

My mom got ready and we left around 1330.  First, we stopped at the library and Mom returned her audiobooks and got new ones, then she grabbed a book I'd been debating buying on my iPad.  Then, we went to Petco and I bought Puck more vitamins ($40 -- yikes!) and Mom got Jamie's dog, Prince, a harness.  Then we went next door and Mom mailed the harness and some earrings to Jamie.  While we were in there, we found an iPhone, so I grabbed it and was writing a note with my email and phone number for whomever lost it and the girl showed up -- yay! -- so I was able to give it to her and not leave my info out for the world to see.

Then we walked over to Michael's and bought a couple things to help me decorate the stockings.  Martha made 17, which will go to the single soldiers and I'll make 33, which will go to the rest of the guys.

Our last stop was the grocery store.  I picked up a few things for Tyler and mom bought some stuff with which to stuff the stockings.  I also bought cider, tea, and cocoa... I am always wanting dessert, so that'll help.  It'll be like dessert, but not so caloric.  I also got some cream of mushroom soup from the soup counter -- it was so rich and delicious!

Once home, I ate my soup, then read for a little bit.  Mom had told me to rest and she'd take care of Eis until I went to get my massage.  Eis got a bit too frantic for my mom, so I got her, nursed her for a bit, then put her down to nap.  Then I grabbed my stuff and left for my massage.

My massage was amazing.  I had a cute girl, though dressed strange, who suggested asiatsu (where they use their feet).  I agreed and stripped down.  Stacia (my girl) cleaned her feet, which were beautifully manicured, and sat up by my head and used her hands and feet to massage my back.  It was so great!  It was deep and long strokes, which are what I prefer when getting a massage and the perfect pressure.  Eventually, she stood up and would hold on to the bars on the ceiling and use one foot at a time, so I never had her full weight on my back.  It was a fantastic new experience and I'm glad I don't say "no" to stuff or I would have missed out, big time!

My back felt better overall, but I've still got some achy bones.  I am going to call Dr. P in the morning and see if he has any availability tomorrow.  I have rehab at noon, so I'll be able to tell Kim that I'm dying, too.

Not only is my back hurting more than it has in ages, but my right ear still echoes and I am fighting an ingrown toenail in my left big-toe.  How irritating!  My dad and I worked on my toe this afternoon and it hurt more the rest of the day.  And just a bit ago, I checked it out again, then put hydrogen peroxide and neosporin on it.  I had to put a bandaid on so I wouldn't mess up my sheets and now I can feel it throbbing against the bandaid.  It's an odd feeling.

I would love to just be whole and healthy.

I do have the one surgery looming in the not-too-distant future, but maybe that'll be it for me.  Maybe I'll never have to have another surgery after this one.  It would be nice to know that were the case.